This shovel is light and compact, but I found that it does not work well for doing snowpack stability assessments in a snowpit. It is too small and the curvature of the blade prohibits an effective shear or compression test.

Good lightweight shovel for snowcamping, car emergencies etc. Unfortunately when digging a pit in some hard sierra cement I managed to bend the handle where it meets the blade. Not confidence inspiring for avalanche rescue work.
I returned this shovel as I just wasn't impressed. I have bought a different shovel, one of the tried and true ones out there, a little heavier but I think it's well worth it.
Not a bad shovel just be aware of it's best uses.

Not too bad, but I wish it collapsed into a smaller size for stowing. There are others that get smaller, but for the price, it's a good beginners shovel.